Congratulations Klein Erzgebirge! Built in 1933 the park will celebrate the 70th aniversary on the 18th of May 2003! Please mail us some photo's for the next e-zine.

New Airport at Madurodam

Largest scale model built since 1952

The scale model of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2003.

The airport has formed an essential part of the miniature city since its opening in 1952. The scale model was last extended at the end of the eighties. Madurodam had the desire to display a version similar to Amsterdam airport Schiphol in its present form. The new scale model was realised together with Schiphol Group, based on a design by Benthem Crouwel Architects, the Dutch architects responsible for designing the buildings at the actual airport.

New induction technique

The new airport is the largest scale model ever built in the miniature city since 1952. Madurodam worked on the project, which covers an area of 1.150 m2, for well over two years. The foothpath crosses right through the airport area, having arisen from the visitor's desire to approach the aircraft as closely as possible. A lowered platform enables the visitor to look into the terminal and observe the dynamic airport environment at eye level. A new induction technique, presented here for the first time, has been applied to the platform. The technique enables the three-metre long aircraft to taxi along the platform using a magnetic field, rechargeable batteries and miniature computers.

World map with IAMP members

Thank you for sending us your logo! The world map poster with the location of all the IAMP members is almost ready and will be send to you soon. On this poster, we have included the following text:

Miniaturk has opened on April 23rd, a special Childrens' day in Turkey. The construction of Miniaturk has been completed within less than 2 years. The location of the park is ideally situated in the city of Istanbul, Turkey's biggest city and its opening window to the outside world. As in similar examples in the world, the park consists of models built on the scale of 1:25. Models of 105 most prominent monumental works reflecting the heritage of Turkey are exhibited. The owner of the project is Istanbul Culture and Arts Products Trade Co. (Kültür A.S.) a company of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Miniaturk is built on a land of 60.000 square meters on the shores of the Golden Horn, a historic district of Istanbul. Its purpose is to let visitors from around the world discover the rich historical heritage of Turkey. Centuries old magnificent mosques, churches, synagogues, bridges, palaces, towers and natural landscapes have all taken their place in Miniaturk. From Hagia Sophia to Blue Mosque; from Artemis temple to Bosphorus Bridge; and many unique examples of art and architecture, great and small, are now displayed. There is also a miniature railway network, a motorway with moving vehicles, an airport with moving airplanes, thousands of human figures, and ships sailing across the Bosphorus. These dynamic models make Miniaturks a living park. In addition, a rubber wheeled and electrically charged mini train, called 'miniaturk express' capable of carrying up to 24 children give children an enjoyable ride through the park. Other attractions include the 700 square metre restaurant and the cafetaria overlooking the Golden Horn. The park is expected to attract over one million visitors per year.